Automatic pressure valve



April 29, 1941. A, F TEX-Tc'm 2,240,102

AUTOMATIC PRESSURE VALVE Filed March '7, 1940 Patented Apr. 29, 1941UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AUTOMATIC PRESSURE VALVE Andr F. Tester,Sussex, N. J.

Application March 7, 1940, Serial No. 322,828

8 Claims.

This invention relates to an automatic pressure valve for flushingtanks, and it is a particular object of the invention to provide a valveof this kind having means whereby is prevented siphoning of the waterout from the tank.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a valve of this kindwhich in its operation is under control of a diaphragm and wherein flowof water into the tank is stopped when the water within the tank reachesa predetermined level.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in thecombination and arrangement of the several parts of my improvedautomatic pressure valve whereby certain important advantages areattained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwisemore convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter morefully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitelyclaimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will nowproceed to describe the same with reference to the accompany drawing,

wherein: I

Figure 1 is a fragmentary view partly in section and partly in elevationillustratinga valve constructed in accordance with an embodiment of myinvention; I

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 2-2 of.Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary detailed sectional view taken substantially onthe line 33 of Figure 2.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawing, i

denotes the bottom of a flush tank of any desired capacity and extendingupwardly within the tank from its bottom wall I and suitably anchoredthereto is the feed pipe 2. This pipe 2 is coupled to any suitablesource of water supply under pressure.

Suitably carried by the upper end portion of the pipe 2 is a housing Hherein disclosed as in close simulation of a semi-sphere with therounded surface upwardly disposed. This housing H [comprises twosections 3 and 4 tightly held one to the other by suitable clampingmeans as generally indicated at 5. These sections 3 and 4 when inassembly effectively hold a diaphragm 6 which intersects the housing Hwhereby the in which is threaded or otherwise engaged a.

movable plate II. This plate H at its center has disposed therethroughan opening l2 which is defined at one side of the plate by a dependingflange H, the outer or free edge of which provides a seat for the diskvalve Hi. This valve [5 is carried by the lower end portion of a stem l6which is directed through the opening l2 and the upper end portion ofthe stem l6 carries a second valve member I! in the form of an invertedcup.

The pressure of the water through the pipe 2 serves to maintain thevalve l5 normally in engagement with its seat and at the same timemaintains the upper valve member l'l in close contact from below withthe diaphragm 6. The central portion of the diaphragm 6 has engagedtherewith from below a relatively large metallic plate [8 to stiffen thediaphragm in a conventional manner.

The bottom wall of the section 4 of the housing H is provided with adownwardly tapered sleeve portion is with which the upper portion of thepipe 2 is directly engaged. The bottom wall of the lower section 4 ofthe housing H is provided with a radially disposed port 20 incommunication with the upper part of the sleeve [9 and which iscontinued, as at 2|, through the registering lugs 22 and 23 extendingoutwardly from the sections 4 and 3 respectively of the housing H.

The bore within the upper lug 23 is reduced in diameter to provide aninternal valve seat 25 and said bore of the upper lug 23 above the valveseat 25 is in communication with the section 3 of the housing H abovethe diaphragm 6 through the bypass 26.

Coacting with the valve seat 25 is a valve member 21 which is freelymovable within the bore of the lug 23 and this valve member 21 iscarried by a stem 28 which extends upwardly through the top or closedend of the bore of the lug 23. This stem 28 is operatively connected, asat 29, with a float arm 30. This float arm 30 is operatively supportedat one end portion; as

- at 3|, for up and down swinging movement by the outstanding member 32carried by the lug 23 of the upper section 3. The outer or freeendportion of the arm 30 carries a float 33 of any preferred type.

The bottom wall of the lower section 4 is pro-- vided with a suitablypositioned opening 34 with which is suitably engaged a dependingdischarge pipe 35.

The upper section 3 of the housing H at a desired point therealong isprovided with an outstanding vent 36 andv the flow through such vent 36is controlled by the valve member 3! herein disclosed as a screwthreading through the wall of the vent 36. The adjustment of this valvemember or screw 3'! is to regulate or control the time required forbuilding up the requisite pressure Within the upper section 3 of thehousing H to operate the diaphragm E to move the valve member [5 intoopen position.

Upon the emptying of the tank the float 33 with the arm 30 will swingdownwardly adjusting the valve 31 into open position whereupon the waterwill flow through the port and its continuance 2| through the lugs 23and through the by-pass 26 into the chamber 1. As the pressure builds upwithin the chamber I the diaphragm 5 will be flexed with the resultantopening of the valve member I5 whereupon the water will flow from thepipe 2 through the opening I 2 and out through the opening 34 and pipe3'5 into the tank. As the water level within the tank rises, the float33 and the arm will move upwardly and when the desired water level isreached within the tank, the valve member 27 will be brought into closedposition with respect to its seat whereupon the pressure of the waterwill return the valve member IE to its closed position. In this actionany excess water within the chamber 8 will drain out through the vent 36and the time for such draining will, of course, depend upon theadjustment of the valve member or screw 21.

In the event of water being drawn from the water supply below the valvemember l5, as for example from a water faucet in the water supply line,there would be a tendency of such discharge or flow of the water tocreate a suction which would result in the opening of the valve memberl5 and the siphoning out of the water within the tank. However, in thepresent instance any such siphoning action is eliminated due to the factthat the suction down through the pipe 2 will pull the member l5 awayfrom its seat and drop the valve member I! into closed position andthereby prevent any retrograde flow down through the opening I2.

The bottom of the chamber 8 is provided with a desired number ofupstanding fingers to limit the fiexure of the diaphragm 6 after suchdiaphragm has been forced down sufficiently to allow the valve member IEto be moved into open position.

It is also of advantage to have the upper section 4 of the housing H ofa dome shape to facilitate the trapping of air therein so that when thevalve 21 closes the air will expand slowly thus eliminating the shock ofstopping the water too quickly in the water line.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that anautomatic pressure valve constructed in accordance with my invention isparticularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience andfacility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will alsobe obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change andmodification without departing from the principles and spirit thereofand for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself tothe precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shownin carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. A valve mechanism of the class described comprising a verticallydisposed supply pipe for communication with a source of water supplyunder pressure, a housing carried by the upper end portion of the pipe,a diaphragm intersecting the housing and dividing the same into an upperchamber and a lower chamber, the bottom of the lower chamber having anopening affording communication with the pipe, a valve member coactingwith the lower end of said opening and maintained in closed position bythe pressure of the water passing up through the pipe, said housinghaving a port in communication with the pipe and with the upper chamberof the housing, said port having an internal valve seat, a floatcontrolled valve member coacting with said internal seat for closing theflow of water through the port to the upper chamber, the lower chamberof the housing having a discharge, and

means movable with the first valve member for preventing retrograde flowthrough the pipe.

2. A valve mechanism of the class described comprising a verticallydisposed supply pipe for communication with a source of water supplyunder pressure, a housing carried by the upper end portion of the pipe,a diaphragm intersecting the housing and dividing the same into an upperchamber and a lower chamber, the bottom of the lower chamber having anopening affording communication with the pipe, a valve member coactingwith the lower end of said opening and maintained in closed position bythe pressure of the water passing up through the pipe, said housinghaving a port in communication with the pipe and with the upper chamberof the housing, said port having an internal valve seat, a floatcontrolled valve member coacting with said internal seat for closing theflow of water through the port to the upper chamber, the lower chamberof the housing having a discharge, and means carried by the first valvemember for preventing water siphoning out through the pipe as a resultof suction created in such pipe.

3. A valve mechanism of the class described comprising a verticallydisposed supply pipe for communication with a source of water supplyunder pressure, a housing carried by the upper end portion of the pipe,a diaphragm intersecting the housing and dividing the same into an upperchamber and a lower chamber, the bottom of the lower chamber having anopening affording communication with the pipe, a valve member coactingwith the lower end of said opening and maintained in closed position bythe pressure of the water passing up through the pipe, said housinghaving a port in communication with the pipe and with the upper chamberof the housing, said port having an internal valve seat, a floatcontrolled valve member coacting with said internal seat for closing theflow of water through the port to the upper chamber, the lower chamberof the housing having a discharge, and means carried by the first valvemember for preventing retrograde fiow through the pipe, the upperchamber of the housing having a vent in communication therewith.

4. A valve mechanism of the class described comprising a verticallydisposed supply pipe for communication with a source of water supplyunder pressure, a housing carried by the upper end portion of the pipe,a diaphragm intersecting the housing and dividing the same into an upperchamber and a lower chamber, the bottom of the lower chamber having anopening affording communication with the pipe, a valve member coactingwith the lower end of said opening and maintained in closed position bythe pressure of the water passing up through the pipe, said housinghaving a port in communication with the pipe and with the upper chamberof the housing, said port having an internal valve seat, a floatcontrolled valve member coacting with said internal seat for closing theflow of water through the port to the upper chamber, the lower chamberof the housing having a discharge, means carried by the first valvemember for preventing retrograde flow through the pipe, the upperchamber of the housing having a vent in communication therewith, andmeans for regulating flow out through the Vent.

5. A valve mechanism of the class described comprising a verticallydisposed supply pipe for communication with a source of Water supplyunder pressure, a housing carried by the upper end portion of the pipe,a diaphragm intersecting the housing and dividing the same into an upperchamber and a lower chamber, the bottom of the lower chamber having anopening affording communication with the pipe, a valve member coactingwith the lower end of said opening and maintained in closed position bythe pressure of the water passing up through the pipe, said housinghaving a port in communication with the pipe and with the upper chamberof the housing, said port having an internal valve seat, a floatcontrolled valve member coacting with said internal seat for closing thefiow of water through the port to the upper chamber, the lower chamberof the housing having a discharge, means carried by the first valvemember for preventing retrograde flow through the pipe, and means forlimiting the flexing movement of the diaphragm toward the bottom of thelower chamber.

6. A valve mechanism of the class described comprising a verticallydisposed supply pipe for communication with a source of water supplyunder pressure, a housing carried by the upper end portion of the pipe,a diaphragm intersecting the housing and dividing the same into an upperchamber and a lower chamber, the bottom of the lower chamber having anopening aifording communication with the pipe, a valve member coactingwith the lower end of said opening and maintained in closed position bythe pressure of the water passing up through the pipe, said housinghaving a port in communication with the pipe and with the upper chamberof the housing, said port having an internal valve seat, a floatcontrolled valve member coacting with said internal seat for closing theflow of water through the port to the upper chamber, the lower chamberof the housing having a discharge, a valve member within the lowerchamber and contacting from below with the diaphragm, said third valvemember being connected with the first valve member for unitary movementtherewith, the third valve member coacting with the opening in thebottom of the lower chamber, said third valve member being in openposition when the first valve member is in closed position and viceversa.

7. A valve mechanism of the class described comprising a verticallydisposed supply pipe for communication with a source of water supplyunder pressure, a housing carried by the upper end portion of the pipe,a diaphragm intersecting the housing and dividing the same into an upperchamber and a lower chamber, the bottom of the lower chamber having anopening affording communication with the pipe, a valve member coactingwith the lower end of said opening and maintained in closed position bythe pressure of the water passing up through the pipe, said housinghaving a port in communication with the pipe and with the upper chamberof the housing, said port having an internal valve seat, a floatcontrolled valve member coacting with said internal valve seat forclosing the flow of Water through the port to the upper chamber, thelower chamber of the housing having a discharge, and a third valvemember coacting with the upper end of the opening in the bottom of thelower chamber for preventing retrograde flow through the p pe.

8. A valve mechanism of the class described comprising a verticallydisposed supply pipe for communication with a source of water supplyunder pressure, a housing carried by the upper end portion of the pipe,a diaphragm intersecting the housing and dividing the same into an upperchamber and a lower chamber, the bottom of the lower chamber having anopening afiording communication with the pipe, a valve member coactingwith the lower end of said opening and maintained in closed position bythe pressure oi the water passing up through the pipe, said housinghaving a port in communication with the pipe and with the upper chamberof the housing, said port having an internal valve seat, a floatcontrolled valve member coacting with said internal valve seat forclosing the flow of water through the port to the upper chamber, thelower chamber of the housing having a discharge, a third valve membercoacting with the upper end of the opening in the bottom of the lowerchamber for preventing retrograde flow through the pipe, a stemconnecting the first valve member and the third valve member for unitarymovement, said stem being disposed through the opening in the bottom ofthe lower chamber, said stem being of a length to have the third valvemember in open position when the first valve member is in closedposition and vice versa.

ANDRE F. TEXTOR.

